Electrically operated safety razor



July 18, 1933. D, B. wlLLs ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SAFETY RAZOR Filed July l5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

12a/Vis B. WL'ZLS BY df/f ATTORNEYS.

July 1s, 1933. D. B. WMS

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SAFETY RAZOR Filed July l5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EI E- VSN IN VEI V TOR. B. WZZS l ATTORNEYS.

UNITED siuefresv PATENT OFFICE DAVIS B. WILLS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SAFETY RAZOR Application led July 15,

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in safety razors and more particularly to an electrically operated safety razor, the primary object of the invention I being to provide a razor of the type mentioned which may be most effectively used for the purpose for which it is designed with the least amount of effort and the minimum amount of time consumed in the use thereof. A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a razor wherein a pair of blades are brought in'to cutting Contact, one with the other, enabling the device to be used as an ordinary razor in the removal 15 of the beard from the face, or to be used for the removal of hair from other parts of the body, or for the removal of calli from the feet or hands.

Still another object of the invention rem sides in the provision of a razor of the type mentioned which is so constructed that only one blade is movable with respect to the other, the movable blade being capable of reciprocal movement with respect to the stationary blade and the relation of parts being such as will enable the blades to be moved over the face or other skin of the body without danger of injury thereto.

A still further object resides in the provi- 3 sion of a razor which is comparatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very eflicient and useful in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed o out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application:

Figure is an enlarged side elevation of my improved razor, with parts broken away 'u to illustrate the inner construction of movable and operating parts;

Figure 2 is a view taken at right angles to Figure 1, with parts broken away and parts in section;

l Figure 3 is a horizontal section as seen 1932. Serial No. 622,755.

on the line 3 3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a similar view as seen on the line 4-4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure l with 55 the blades and supporting elements thereof shown in section, the blades being disclosed in their effective cutting position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with the blades in ineffective position;

Figure 7 isa horizontal section as seen on the line 7 7 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the device, with the blades in effective cutting position;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section as seen on the line 9-9 of Figure 5; and

Figure 10 is an elevation of a slightly modified form of blade which may be used in connection with my razor.v

In describing the invention, I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which the numeral l designates a shell or casing 7.5' formed of composition, metal or any desired material and of any desired size and shape which may be conveniently held in the hand of the user and house therein the working parts of my invention. As shown in the drawings, this housing is substantially rectangular in cross section, being formed of two sections removably secured together as at 2. The outer face of this particular housing or shell l is knurled as shown at 3, so as to be more firmly gripped in the hand of the user. As stated, this is merely one adaptation or illustration of a housing which4 may be used in connection with this invention-V and it will be understood that any other form of housing may be utilized as may befound convenient and desirable for manufacturing purposes.

The upper end wall of the housing or shell 1 is provided with a central opening 4 at opposite sides of which are openings 5 and 6, the later opening being of greater width than the'formerfor purposes ,as will be hereinafter and more particularly set forth. The

lower end of the housing or shell l is formed with a collar 7.

Disposed within the lower portion of the shell or housing 1 is a small motor 8. This motor may be of any shape or size to it the shell or housing 1 according to the desires 'of the manufacturer. The lead wires from the motor, designated by the numeral 9, extend through the collar 7 of the shell or housing 1 and may be connected through the medium of a plug to the usual Wall socket- (not shown). Projecting upwardly from the motor 8 is the driven shaft 10 which projects through the central opening 4 of the housing or shell l, as clearly shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings. Secured to or formed on the shaft 10, as may be desired, are the upper and lower cams 11 and 12, respectively. These cams are positioned respectively, adjacent the upper and lower ends of the driven shaft 10 and are so arranged on said shaft that the high points thereof are respectively disposed diametrically opposite to one another for purposes to be hereinafter and more f particularly set forth.

Supported on the motor 8 and stationary with respect thereto and with respect to the shell or casing 1, is the upstanding arm 13 which projects through the opening 5 at the upper end of the shell or casing 1. Formed on or otherwise secured to the arm 13 intermediate of its ends are the laterally projecting bracket arms 14 which extend parallel and on opposite sides of the shaft 10, as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. These arms 14 pivotally support therebetween through the medium of a pintle 15 the laterally projecting ears 16 carried on a movable or oscilating arm 17. The movement of this arm 17 of course, is had in View of the pivotal support of the ears 16 on the bracket arm 14. The inner face of the oscillating arm 17 is provided with a wear plate 18 which may be of any preferred material and applied in any desired manner. The positioningof this arm 17 is such that the wear plate thereof will receive contacts with the cams 11 and 12 at all times and said arm 17 will be caused to rock on its pivot through the action of these rams 11 and 12, as the shaft 10 is rotated.

The construction of the cams 11 and 12 and their relationship with respect to the arm 17, which shows constant contact of said cams with the wear plate of said arm enables said arm to be oscillated, upon the -rotation of the shaft 10 without any shock or jar, there being a smooth, even oscillation at all times, which is most essential for the purposes desired in this inventon.

Formed on or otherwise secured to the upper ends of the arms 13 and 17, respectively, are the head plates 19 and 20, upon which are removably secured through the medium of the screws 21, the two blades 22. The screws 21 extend upwardly through the plates 19 and 20 and engage threaded openings in the blades 22 and while there is no possible adjustment of the blades on the head plate 20, provision for adjustment of the blade on the head plate 19 is made through the medium of the slot 23 formed in said head plate 19, clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

These blades are substantially rectangular in plan view and the upper faces thereof are curved or arched transversely. The inner opposed faces of the blade 22 are sharply inclined or bevelled downwardly and outwardly, as shown at 24 and the inner and upper end of the bevelled or inclined face terminates in the cutting edge. In view of the construction of these blades and the positioning thereof on the head plates 19 and 20, it will be seen that the cutting edges may be brought in contact with one another as shown in Figures l and 5 of the drawings. The oscillation of the arms 17 through the action of the cams 1l and l2 will cause one blade to reciprocate with respect to the other and the movement of the blades with respect to one another being slight, the removal of 'the beard from the face may be readily accomplished by the movement of the blades over the skin. In view of the particular construction of the blades it will be seen that the same may be readily sharpened, when necessary, by the removal of said blades from the respective arms. The adjustable mounting of the one blade on the head plate 19 permits of the ready adjustment of the Ablades with respect to one another after sharpening. The blades are positioned with respect-to one another so that the cutting edges merely meet when brought in contact, one with the other. To compensate for any 1t wear, after sharpening of the blade or any J wear on the cams and wear plate 18, I provide for a further adjustment in the form of the adjusting screws 25 which extend through the head plates 19 and 20 adjacent the ends thereof. The inner opposed ends of these screws 25 are covered with rubber or other cushioning caps 26 so that when the same are brought in contact with one another, shocks may be absorbed and the clicking of metal avoided.

As previously stated, the arm 13 is stationarily mounted within the casing or shell 1. The head plate 19 carried thereon is provided with a lateral projection 27 which has an opening therein receiving the upper end of the shaft 10, thereby forming a bearing for the latter. Vibration of the shaft in the casing when the device is applied to use is thereby eliminated.

The motor 8 may be provided with any form of switch (not shown) and for purposes of actuation thereof, I have shown in the drawings, the button 28. It will be understood, however, that any form of Switch or fshaft, (not shown.

manual means for starting and stopping the motor may be used, as desired, and in this connection it may be stated that, if desired, the motor may be remotely positioned with respect to the shell or casing 1 and connected with thel driven shaft l() through a flexible I do' not wish to be limited to the positioning of the motor within the shell of the casing 1 as the device may.

be equally well actuated with. the motor remotely positioned with respect thereto.

As stated in the objects of the invention, this razor, while primarily designed for use in the shaving of the beard from the face, may be used for the removal of hair from any other portions of the body or for the removal of callous. When the device is used for the removal of hair from portions of the body which are concaved, a slightly different shape of blade is preferable. To this end. I have shown in Figure 10, a slightly modified form of blade designated by the numeral 29 which has its outer face convexed longitudinally, as well as transversely. Otherwise, the blade is the same as the blade 22 previously described. Such a blade enables the device to be readily utilized in the removal of hair from under the arms.

l have shown and described a particular design of blade 22 and 29 herein. It will be understood that these blades may be made of various sizes and shapes and the bevelled portions 24 thereof may be at varying angles as desired.

It will also be seen that the blades are removably secured to the base plates by means of the screws 2l. If desired, the blades may be entirely removed from the base plates and an ordinary wafer blade secured thereto by any preferred clip or similar mechanism. There may be occasions arise where electricity is not available and the party desiring to use my improved razor will iind it necessary, under such circumstances, to remove the blades from the base plate and apply thereto the ordinary fiat wafer blade and apply the razor to use in the usual manner.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved razor, the operation thereof will be readily understood and it will be seen that I have provided a comparatively simple, inexpensive and eiiicient means for carrying out the objects of the invention.

It will be understood that I have shown in these drawings an adaptation of a principle to use and I do not wish to be limited to the particular details of construction shown and described. While I particularly describe the elements best adapted to perform the funetions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in lthe minor details of construction such as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the s irit or sacrificing any of the principles of t e invention.

Having thus described theinvention, what I claim is: A

1. In an electrically operated razor, a stationary arm, a movable arm spaced ltransversely from the stationary arm and pivotal- 1y mounted intermediate its ends, blades car? ried by front ends of said arms and having adj acont side ed es sharpened, a shaft extending longitudine ly of said arms between the same and rotatably mounted, and opposed cams fixed to said shaft, one in front of and the other to the rear of the pivotal mounting of the movable arm and having continuous contact with the movable arm and adapted to im art rocking movement thereto to move the lades towards and then away from each other when the shaft is rotated.

2. In an electrically operated razor, a stationary arm, a movable arm extending longitudinally of the stationary arm at one side thereof and pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, blades carried by front ends of said arms, a rotary shaft extending' longitudinally of said arms between the same and rotatably supported by front and rear portions of the stationary arm, a pair of circular cams carried by said shaft one in front of and the other to the rear of the pivotal mounting of the movable arm, said cams being at all times in contact with the movable arm and having their high points disposed at opposite sides of said shaft to cause oscillation of the movable arm when the shaft is rotated and movement of the blades towards and away from each other.

3. In an electrically operated razor, a casing having a center passage and side passages at its front, a motor in the rear portion of said casing, a rotary shaft extending forwardly from said motor through the center a passage at the front of the casing, a sta.- tionary arm atv one side of said shaft extending through a side passage of the casing and having a foot at its rear endsecured to said' motor, a movable arm at the other side of said shaft extending through the other side passage of the casing, bearing brackets extending from said arms intermediate their ends and pivoted to each other to mount the movable arm for rocking movement, heads carried by outer ends of said arms, the head of the stationary arm rotatably supporting the front end of the shaft, blades carried by said heads and having sharpened edges facing each other, and cams carried by said shaft within the casing in front of and to the rear of said bearing brackets and contaeting with the movable arm to impart rocking motion to the same and move the blades towards and away from each other when the shaft is rotated.

4. In an electrically operated razor, a casing, a motor in the rear end of said casing lll spaced from the front end thereof, a shaft rotated from said motor and extending forwardly from the motor through the front end of the casing, a stationary arm and a movable arm extending longitudinally in said casing at. opposite sides of said shaft and projecting from the casing at the front thereof, the stationary arm being secured at its rear to the motor and the movable arm being pivoted to the stationary arm for rocking movement, blades carried by outer ends of said arms and having sharpened facing edges, and cams carried by said shaft in front of and to the rear of the pivotal mounting of the movable arm and engaging the movable arm to rock the same when the shaft is rotated.

. 5. In an electrically operated razor, a casing, a motor in the rear end of said casing spaced from the front end thereof, a shaft rotated from said motor and extending forwardly from the motor through the front end of the casing, a stationary arm and'a lmovable arm extending longitudinally ink said casing at opposite sides of said shaft and projecting from the casing at the front thereof, the movable arm being pivotally mounted within. the casing intermediate the length of the shaft for rocking movement, blades connected with outer ends of said arms, and cams carried by said shaft within the casing and engaging the movable arm in front of and to the rear of its point of pivotal mountin and servin to rock the movable arm an move the b ades towards and away from each other when the shaft is rotated.

6. In an electrically operated razor, a casing, arms extending longitudinally 1n said casing and projecting from the front-thereof and carrying blades, one arm being pivoted intermediate its ends for rocking motion to move its blade towards and away from the blade of the other arm, a motor in the rear portion of said casing spaced from the front thereof and constituting a weight for the rear portion of the casing, and a motor shaft extending forwardly from said motor and carryin cams engaging the movable arm in front o and to the rear of its point of pivotal mounting to impart movement to the movable arm when the shaft is rotated.

7 In an electrically operated razor, a casing, arms extending longitudinally in said casing and projecting from the front thereof and carrying blades, one arm bein pivotally mounted for movement of its blade towards and away from the other blade, a motor in the rear portion of said casing constituting a balancing weight for the razor, and a rotary shaft extending forwardly from said motor and having cam means to actuate the movable arm when the shaft is rotated.

DAVIS B. WILLS. 

